Portrait of the Man of my Life

Studio RGF Arriaza 11

15.5. - 7.6.25

We present our final group exhibition of the season:
RETRATO DEL HOMBRE DE MI VIDA: “PORTRAIT OF THE MAN OF MY LIFE”

No matter how many specifications are laid out in the guidelines of a visual arts open call, one can never truly predict the outcome or how artists will respond. There are always surprises, and PORTRAIT OF THE MAN OF MY LIFE has been a true revelation. From the slightly over one hundred portraits that made the final cut, one could compile a sociological and emotional x-ray of our society. There are as many portraits of fathers as there are of husbands or partners, closely followed by boyfriends and lovers, and even portraits dedicated to a very special friend—one of whom, in a particular case, is multiplied by fourteen.

It’s interesting to find several exes identified as the most important men in someone's life. Quite a few have also decided that the man of their life is themselves. There are portraits of sons, a few grandfathers or nephews, but the most intriguing are those of imaginary, idealized, or unattainable men—or those who appear as a coveted inspiration. And of course, there’s also that one who just can't get someone toxic out of their head and perhaps seeks to exorcise him through portraiture.

In terms of style and form, the variety is immense, as can be seen when closely examining this hundred-piece collection, whose only common denominator is the presence of a male figure—even if in some cases, it’s barely a shadow or a fleeting impression.